Packed band schedule challenges students

Marching band, always a tough time commitment, is tougher than usual this year because of the group's ambitious schedule.

Junior Bryan Chow grabs his clarinet as he makes his way to yet another three and a half hour Wednesday band rehearsal starting at 5:30 p.m. After getting back at 9 p.m., he still has to study for an AP US History test and finish all his homework due the following day.

Chow is among roughly 230 students who are struggling to keep up with a more intense band schedule this fall.

The band has kicked it up a notch from previous seasons by adding Friday rehearsals in order to adapt to the back-to-back performances in which the band will participate.

According to new band director Jonathan Pwu, the band will perform  “in both parade and field show for the first time in 14 or more years” and will march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, which will be the first time the band will be live on television. In addition, the band will also have to do an 85-second field show at Macy’s, adding sets to the already difficult season they have now.

“Because of this, we have scheduled a few extra rehearsals in order to provide the best opportunity for success for the students,” Pwu said.

Although there are longer rehearsals, Pwu realizes that homework and tests are crucial to students’ academic lives.

“Although rehearsal time is crucial, [music director] Mr. Boitz and I are very aware of the rigorous schedules students have and try to give students enough time to focus on their academic studies,” Pwu said.

Even so, students seem to find this extra commitment stressful, especially upperclassmen whose time is already eaten up with the demands of AP classes, SATs and college applications. Chow has realized that he has to ration his time carefully.

“It’s pretty strenuous, since the entire Saturday is occupied with rehearsals,” said Chow. “Usually I study SAT on the weekends and catch up on homework, but no, you can’t do that. I have to do everything beforehand so later I don’t run out of time later.”

Junior Margaret Maccoun, a trombone player and manager in band, is also affected by the time crunch.

“The only negative thing about band is the extended practices,” Maccoun. “I feel like it's been pretty difficult, juggling all my junior year classes and hours of band.”

Despite the stress, drum major Michael Shang, a senior, feels excited about the upcoming performances. He is ready to work hard and put in more effort into the current band season.

“I will tackle each performance with more energy and enthusiasm than the prior performance and I hope the band will do the same,” Shang said.

Pwu believes that the band has the potential to do well in the season, and ultimately, in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“This season is definitely a challenging year for the students, but it is also a season filled with great potential,” Pwu said. “The students have been working very hard and achieving higher than ever because of the great student leadership and proactive members of the band.”

“Mr. Boitz and I could not be more proud of the benchmarks the students have set and will continue to set,” Pwu said.